Australian designer brand Saroka has credited two strategies for its growing business: size and sustainability.
In 2018, Saroka produced its first collection of made-to-measure linen pieces.
The range captured the attention of British model and actress, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who reached out to the brand via Instagram.
Since its inception, the brand has been worn by international influencers; Oumayma El Boumeshouli, Anne-Miek Kessels, Debora Rosa, Lotta Levanti and international curve model Ali Tate Cutler.
Melinda Andaloro founded the brand out of frustration for the lack of size inclusion and diversity within the fashion industry.
After several years of working in-house for clothing brands Andaloro noticed a gap in the market, where young women’s fashion labels were not catering to a wide range of body shapes.
The idea for Saroka came to Andaloro in 2015 when she was working for a women’s clothing company, catering to women 40 years and upwards. Their product took into careful consideration the female figure and specific areas to conceal and also enhance.
Andaloro set out to create Saroka - a brand that offers women of a size 6 to a size 16 access to sustainable fashion garments.
Each garment is hand-made to measure in Melbourne, using premium fabrics and hand-sewn finishings.
Saroka uses 80% natural fibres throughout each collection and fabrics are only purchased as needed for controlled production runs, eliminating fabric and also stock wastage.
Linen is primarily used, due to its 100% biodegradable nature and very little dying process required.
Saroka is a wholly Australian label, with all fabrics and trims sourced from Australian suppliers, and pattern and dress makers based locally in Melbourne.